Rehoboth 2013 -- Why I love the Loop

It’s hard to explain to people why the Loop is so special. What’s so great about a virtual running group?!? Blogging? About running? How is that cool? How much can you really write about running? And you really meet up with these people for races?

It’s incredibly difficult to fully explain why the loop is so special, but Saturday night while dancing at 1 am in a karaoke bar that I cannot even begin to explain properly -- the word that came to my mind was inclusive. For background -- I am not a very social person. I don’t go out and party and dance. I rarely go out during the week at all and I almost never stay out later than 7 or 8 o’clock. I am the epitome of an introverted home-body and I am A-okay with that. I know who I am and what I like and I live my life accordingly.

The rare times I do go out with friends I usually don’t dance and I never sing -- even when the music is blasting and no one could possibly hear me. My voice is terrible. I have no rhythm. I am too self conscious. Too old. Too grumpy. I’m just not that person. Except… apparently at this particular Loop fest I was that person and I am SO glad I went to the Purple Parrot and participated this year. It was ablast. (Last year I went out with the girls, but did not dance or sing very much. I enjoyed myself watching them dance and sing -- but it was way more fun this year when I fully participated -- ironically I was quite tipsy last year and almost completely sober this year.)

I am so NOT that person though that one of my local running friends saw me at the Purple Parrot and couldn’t believe I was there. She was so shocked that about 10 minutes after she saw me she drug me over to the local group because they didn’t believe I was there either. I have run a bunch of events with this group and they are incredibly social - but I have never gone out to party with them. I have never wanted to. I enjoy their company well enough, but not enough to stay out all hours of the night. And on Saturday night I sat with them for about 10 minutes, but the entire time I was waiting to make my escape to return to the Loop group so that I could observe the shenanigans.

Unlike the local group that can be a little standoffish, the Loop just welcomes people for who they are. For example: going out on Saturday night all the other women were dressed to the nines. They looked great in little black dresses and going out clothes. Me? I wore jeans and the same sweater I had on all day. I was not dressed to the nines. I did not do my hair. I did not have any makeup on. I was a little self conscious about it at first but it didn’t matter and no one made me feel bad for a second about how I was dressed. It just didn’t matter. (it probably helped that jeans and sweaters were more of the norm for the bar -- I would have felt horribly out of place if everyone at the bar was dressed to the nines.) Normally I would have been so terribly aware that I didn’t fit and didn’t match and that I was definitely not cool enough to hang out with this amazing group of people that I never could have gone out and danced and had a good time. But I never felt any of that from the Loopsters -- not even for a second. Instead I had a great time both watching, which is what I normally do, and participating, which is far more rare for me.

After the lights at the Purple Parrot came back on I recognized someone who I had run with for a while earlier during the race. He saw me and said hi and then started to tell me about the awesome group on the dance floor who were apparently all friends from Runner’s World…. I told him to check out the Loop and he said he would. (he was also not standing up quite straight so we’ll see if he remembers&hellip

Loopsters are awesome. Loop meet-ups are awesome. And Loop parties are fun beyond belief. Next time I will bring dress up clothes and I will go out and sing and dance and have a good time even though I really am not that person because with the right people, and the right environment, Iamapparently that person. And I also know that if for whatever reason I don’t want to go out and party for all hours of the night -- Loopsters are okay with that too.

As for my actual race there isn’t much to say. I ran it. I finished it. It went better than I expected. I ran well for the first 4 miles. Slowed down around mile 5 and started taking some short walk breaks. Started taking more frequent walk breaks starting at mile 9 and just focused on finishing. I finished exactly where I expected to if my race went well -- 2:32 -- which is right within range of my non-training/decent weather finishes.

I’m not sure what my running will look like in 2014. 2010 was my start. 2011 included several half marathons and two full marathons. 2012 was several more half marathons and many, many hours running on trails. 2013 has been terrible for running -- a DNF in a half and multiple DNSs. In fact, I only finished the Baltimore 10-miler (pathetic, hot race -- I walked most of the last 3 miles), the Providence Half which was a last-minute decision (met a Half Fanatic at the start of the race and ran the entire thing with her -- she was awesome and the only reason the race went as well as it did), a 5k at work -- (another last minute decision), and now the Reboboth Half.

After this year I was beginning to think that I would take a break from signing up for races in 2014. Just try to run a few times a week and focus on running for general fitness -- not training for races or events. After the awesomeness of this Loop fest though I might have to reconsider that decision. Hearing the loopsters talking about other races they are planning to run and remembering just how much running has brought into my life -- I need to sit down and figure out why I am having trouble motivating myself to get out the door and I need to put an end to it. Get a routine set. Sign up for a few things -- sparingly so I don’t burn myself out. And go out and have fun.

I really enjoyed reading this...and just sat here nodding my head the entire time. You are "that girl" cause you're one of us. I haven't seen you since Philly, but I hope our paths cross again. Have you considered Shamrock? Glad you had a blast!

I really enjoyed reading this...and just sat here nodding my head the entire time. You are "that girl" cause you're one of us. I haven't seen you since Philly, but I hope our paths cross again. Have you considered Shamrock? Glad you had a blast!

Shamrock was one of my DNS races from this year -- although I did manage to defer for next year. I am on the fence about it though. I love the race and the loop crowd, but I hate driving down there and I hate the fact that you can't get a place to stay within 2 miles of the start of the run.

First of all, thank you so much for offering your digs in case I needed to crash on Sunday night. I was super relieved to have an option of not sleeping in the airport!! Secondly, you and your husband are incredibly awesome people. It was so chaotic that we didn't get to chat much, but holy moly, that smell of bacon and pancakes on Sunday morning was enough to get my hungover moving again after a few hours of sleep. Thank you so much for breakfast!!!!!!!! Third, I would have had no idea that you weren't in your element on Saturday night had you not written this. But so incredibly glad that you decided to come out--how much fun was that?!?!

Yeah, the Loop is definitely an inclusive place!!! I think you and I are a lot alike. I am the same way in those situations. Sometimes, we're just at ease in those fun situations too. I am soo glad that you had a blast!!!

But, you and your hubby are very smart, fun, GREAT people to hang out with. I can't tell you how much fun we had in Maine hanging with you guys...or how much we appreciated the place to crash on our way back!!! I miss you guys and hope to see you again soon!!!

i should just steal the whole first half of this bloop because that's me too. not the old me, but the "old" me LOL. i wore jeans and sweater too and had no idea what you wore. i do know that this year was fun and so was last year. it was fun to get on the dance floor this year!! you lasted longer than i did!!! i'm such a loser LOL. it was so good seeing you and your stalker husband again. he should really be a blogger from the sidelines. i'd love to read his take on everything.....or at least his beer recommendations.

I completely remember looking over and being impressed you were still rocking!!!!! You and Mr. BP are fantastic and you looked RIGHT at home shaking it with everyone else!!!!! I'm sorry I was hurting too badly on Sunday to come indulge in your delicious breakfast:/ Hopefully see you next year!!! Give Sid a kiss for me:-)

It was so good seeing you again and I actually got some of your baked goodies this time. I may or may have not eaten a half dozen or more. Loopsters are the best people around so I'm glad you got to let loose a little Saturday night. Tell Mr BP I said hello and thanks for the pancakes.

Do yourself a favor and go to a Loopfest and party your face off. Just trust me.

Glad you played more this year! I was WAY more drunk this year....the party was such a blur. I hope you come to Shamrock! I'd have a hard time getting out the door too with all that delicious beer in the house. Thank you and the hubby for helping me get my st!t together in the morning. You guys rock!

Yeah, thanks to Corc having an extra shirt, I too rocked the jeans/sweater combo. I'll tell you, from a former sidelines person (yeah, me. . . I still am sometimes) it is WAY more fun to just get out there! Running and the Loop has taught me to move out of my comfort zone and it's awesome! I'm glad you got out there and danced with the rest of us! Great seeing you and your hubby again. Thanks for bringing the beer! Hope to see you at Shamrock!

What a great bloop! It was so wonderful to meet you and your husband, and I had such a blast partying with you on Saturday!! Plus, your cookies were incredible!! As were the delicious pancakes and bacon you guys made for our ragged hungover a$$es on Sunday. You rock!!

Rehoboth was my first Loopfest so I had some 'what am I getting myself into?' thoughts beforehand, but you describe the scene perfectly. It is a really neat mix of people that are very easy to have a good time with. Glad I got to chat with you a little bit - at the house and at the Parrot! I look forward to seeing you at another Loop event!

I love this post. Your description of yourself sounds just like me. My sister Peg loves Loopfests, but I'm always slightly terrified at her descriptions of them and at the thought of going to one for fear I'll be a complete misfit amongst so many party rockstars!!

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